South African National Survey of Research and Experimental Development: manufacturing sector R&D at a glance, 2014/15-2018/19. Fact sheet 34
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: South Africa has experienced a steady decline in the manufacturing sector over the last few years. It is common knowledge that manufacturing can raise productivity and boost a country's R&D spend. In South Africa manufacturing now accounts for less than 15% of GDP, down from 17.5% in 2000. Examining R&D spend, we observe that the manufacturing sector's share of total business R&D spend in 2018/19 was R3.166 billion (22%). The decline of manufacturing signals structural shifts in the South African economy, with accompanying job losses. COVID-19 has compounded the situation, underscoring the need for resilient, agile business models and new products and services for changing conditions. Government's policy response includes the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition's Industrial Policy Action Plan with a multi billion rand manufacturing and competitiveness enhancement programme (MCEP). This will provide much needed support.
DOI: 10.14749/30777803
Author: Human Sciences Research Council
Language: English
Topic: Innovation Policy and R&D
Subfield: Economics and Econometrics
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Human Sciences Research Council
OpenAlex ID: W7108480533
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